Convertible seat



March 6, 1934. M. H. MACDONALD CONVERTIBLE SEAT Filed Feb. 3, 1932v\|lY////////////////////////////A V//////////////////////////1li IllmuuPatented Mar. 6, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFCE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to convertibleseats, and has for its object theprovision of an easily portable seat or bench which may be moved aboutas desired, and means for quickly converting it into a table for servingtea and the like, or for holding whatever is needed convenient to theuser.

It comprises a specially designed seat, and a novel folding attachabletrivet, whereby it may securely hold a tray or the like.

In the drawing,

Fig. 1 is a section through the center of the seat with trivet and trayin place.

Fig. 2 shows the trivet and seat in perspective, and indicates the trayby dotted lines.

Fig. 3 is a detail plan view of the central part of the trivet, showingthe joint, and position of parts when folded.

Fig. 4 shows in elevation and partly in section on line 4 4, Fig. 3, thejoint and block for insertion into seat top.

Referring now to the drawing, the seat comprises a top l, and supports3, cut out to form the legs or feet 5, though they may be of anysuitable shape, the two braces 6 join the end supports at their lateraledges.

The top l is rectangular in plan, and has at each corner an upwardlyprojecting portion 2, of irregular truncated pyramidal form, or anyother suitable shape, the height of which is the same as the verticalthickness of the trivet.

These projections are designed to support the tray 14, near its corners.They also help to hold a cushion in place, when the device is used as aseat.

In the centre of the top is the opening 13, for the insertion of thetrivet block 12, which opening may also serve as a hand hold in carryingthe bench.

The trivet comprises the two members 'I and 8, pivoted at their centres,to form a cross when open. At the longitudinal centre of each member isa portion 9, partly circular in plan, as seen in Fig. 3, and theopposite arms 8, 8', extending from this central portion are offset adistance equal to their width. Also, each central portion is halflapped, as seen in Fig. 4, so that, when placed together, the upper andlower surfaces of the two members are flush with each other. Thesemembers are held together by a screw 10, passing through holes in thecentre of the circular portion and screwed into the block 12, this blockis also securely fastened to the lower member. In use this block isinserted into the hole 13, in top of the bench, thereby holding thetrivet in position.

Due to the arms being offset, as before stated, they fold flat againsteach other as shown in Fig. 3, where the arm is shown folded at 15.These arms are of suitable length to hold the desired size of tray, andthe ends turn upward as shown at 11, this upward projection serving tohold the tray, or the like, in place.

I do not limit myself to the precise form of central portion of thetrivet here shown, any variation which still permits the arms to foldfiat together, is within the scope of this invention.

The trivet, while designed and especially suited for use with this seat,is also adapted and intended for use with other suitable seats.

Having described my invention, I claim,

1. An article of furniture comprising a seat having a rectangular topwith upwardly projecting corners and an opening in its centre, a trivetcomprising two members having their center portions half lapped andpivoted together, each member having two arms extending on oppositesides of said pivot and oiset with respect to each other and from therespective center portions, whereby the upper and lower surfaces of bothmembers are flush with each other and adapted to fold flat when closedand having upwardly extending outer ends for holding a tray in place andhaving a block attached to the centre of one member and inserted withinthe central opening in top of the seat.

2. In combination with a seat having a top with an opening in itscentre, a trivet comprising two members having their center portionshalf lapped and pivoted together, each member having two arms extendingon opposite sides of said pivot and offset with respect to each otherand from the respective center portions, whereby the upper and lowersurfaces of both members are flush with each other and adapted to foldiiat together when closed and having upwardly extending outer ends and ablock attached to the centre of the lower member and inserted within theopening in said seat top.

3. A trivet for use in connection with a seat having a central openingin its top, said trivet comprising two members having their centerportions half lapped and pivoted together, each member having two armsextending on opposite sides of said pivot and offset with respect toeach other and from the respective center portions, whereby the upperand lower surfaces are flush with each other and adapted to fold flattogether when closed and having upwardly extending outer ends and acentral block attached to the lower tion at the end thereof, means toremovably secure the tray holder to the said top by engagement with saidopening, the arms of the tray holder extending beyond the outer edges ofsaid top when the tray holder and seat are assembled, the projectionsfrom the said top and the projections from said arms being adapted tocooperate to support a tray.

MARY H. N. MACDONALD.

